Vice President for Enrollment Management

For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world's most influential artists, designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC's undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world-as seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia O'Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman.Position SummaryReporting to the provost, the Vice President of Enrollment Management provides strategic leadership for student recruitment, admissions, and financial aid. With guidance from the president and provost, the VP is responsible for developing and executing a strategic, date-informed enrollment management plan with clear goals and aligned financial aid strategies.A collaborative and institutionally minded partner, the VP works closely with Marketing and Communications on prospective student outreach, with Student Affairs and the Office of Advancement in support of recruitment and retention, and with the Finance Office to align enrollment goals and aid strategies. As a member of the President's Cabinet, the VP is a senior leader at SAIC, responsible for building creative and diverse cohorts of undergraduate, graduate, and continuing studies students. The VP plays a critical role in advancing the school's financial sustainability, overseeing tuition revenue forecasting and ensuring that enrollment and aid strategies support SAIC's net tuition revenue goals.The VP champions a data-informed culture within the division and across campus, working with a team to use analytics and predictive modeling to drive strategy and inform decision-making. In all aspects of the role, the VP ensures that enrollment and financial aid efforts align with SAIC's mission of access and artistic excellence.The VP oversees the executive directors of Admissions and Student Financial Services.ResponsibilitiesImplement recruitment strategies to meet enrollment goals, forecast trends, and adjust as needed to meet targets for student quality, diversity, and retentionLead efforts to create and sustain a data-informed culture across the division, using real-time dashboards, predictive modeling, and market research to support decision-making in admissions and financial aidDevelop and monitor tuition revenue forecasts in collaboration with the Finance Office, and align recruitment and aid strategies to meet net revenue targetsEnsure financial aid is leveraged strategically to support access, student success, and revenue objectives-balancing affordability with institutional sustainability and long-term enrollment health.Partner with the VP of Marketing and Communications to build marketing strategies that help raise awareness around SAIC, and help to achieve the institution's enrollment goalsSupervise the executive directors of Student Financial Services and Admissions, ensuring that they are advancing institutional goals and working collaboratively with units across the schoolDevelop and monitor tuition revenue forecasts in collaboration with the Finance Office, and align recruitment and aid strategies to meet net revenue targetsManage the enrollment management budget in adherence with all SAIC policies, set its budgetary priorities, and participate in the institution's biennial budget processEnsure enrollment and financial aid efforts reflect SAIC's mission of access, artistic innovation, and academic excellence, cultivating student cohorts with strong creative potential across all programsWork with the VP of Student Affairs to advance the institution's retention and graduations effortsEngage in continual assessment and improvement of the systems and services provided to prospective students to promote their seamless transition from applicants to matriculated studentsEnsure a student-centered approach within the offices of Admissions and Student Financial ServicesLead compliance oversight within Enrollment ManagementWork closely with Computer Resource and Information Technology to ensure student admissions, financial aid and records systems and processes advance our enrollment and financial aid objectivesEnsure the maintenance of accurate and complete data and use data to analyze, interpret patterns and drive decision-makingParticipate in campus-wide strategic planning as well as long-range planning within enrollment managementRepresent enrollment management to both internal and external audiences and serve as the main liaison to the Board of Governors on admission mattersSupervise, manage, and advance the professional development of senior leaders within enrollment managementStay abreast of best practices within the field of enrollment management and ensure that our recruitment and aid strategies meet the goals set by the president and provostEnsure that enrollment and financial aid policies and practices comply with all federal and state regulations pertaining to non-discrimination, access, and financial aid administrationKnowledge of and experience in overseeing enrollment technologies and CRMsPerform all other duties as assignedQualificationsBachelor's degree required; Masters or terminal degree preferred10+ years of leadership experience in higher education with demonstrated success as a senior leader in enrollment management. Experience with colleges of art and design a plus.Demonstrated success in the field of enrollment management, particularly in the areas of recruitment, enrollment projections, and financial aid leveragingAdvanced analytical, evaluative, and critical thinking skills, and proven success in making data-driven decisions that advance the mission of enrollment managementDetailed knowledge of state and federal financial aid regulationsExceptional communication and interpersonal skills, ensuring effective communication to a wide range of stakeholders on complex issues, both verbally and in writingDemonstrated tact, diplomacy and honestyEvidence of calm and effective decision making under pressureA track record of working productively and collaboratively with a range of diverse stakeholdersEvidence of decision making that reflects an investment in diversity, equity, and inclusionStrong leadership and management skillsDemonstrated facility with budgetingEvidence of sound judgement and a commitment to ethical decision makingPhysical RequirementsAbility to perform basic job functions both electronically and in-personSitting and/or standing requiredSignificant travelAbility to work evenings and nightsCompensation & BenefitsPlease click on the links below to view our competitive, comprehensive benefits package: Hiring Range: $250,000-$270,000The expected hiring range is an estimated amount for positions based on the grade. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, qualifications and other job-related reasons. Benefits PTO Overview Job Classification: Full time exemptEmployment Category: StaffGrade Level: 98If you are accessing this listing from a third party, not all links to salary and benefits information may work. Please visit our career page at saic/artic.edu/employment for complete informationApplication InstructionsScreening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website:Isaacson, Miller - VP, Enrollment SearchAccessibilityIf you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page:Accessibility Accommodation for ApplicantsEqual Opportunity StatementThe Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals compliant with federal and state laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at . Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Created: 2026-04-02